Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is a chemical compound, a lipid derived from glycerol and stearic acid.

The name describes the structure of the molecule

• "Polyglyceryl" refers to a polymer derived from glycerin, a compound with three alcohol groups.
• "6" indicates the number of glycerin units in the polymer.
• "Distearate" is an ester derived from stearic acid. 
• "Di" indicates that there are two stearic groups attached to the polyglycerol.

Description of raw materials used in production

• Glycerol - Serves as the foundational building block for production.
• Stearic acid - A fatty acid used for esterification.
• Catalyst agents - Acids such as sulfuric acid, which expedite the esterification process.

Step-by-step summary of industrial chemical synthesis process

• Raw material preparation - Glycerol and stearic acid are purified and readied.
• Esterification Reaction - Glycerol reacts with stearic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a pre-polymerization.
• Polymerization - The pre-polymerized mixture undergoes polymerization to form Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate.
• Neutralization - Any residues of acid catalysts are neutralized, typically using a base.
• Purification - The product is cleansed of impurities using methods like distillation.
• Quality Control - The produced Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate is tested to ensure it meets desired specifications.

It appears in the form of a white granular powder.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, of natural origin, has demonstrated high skin compatibility (1).

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

Chemical

Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate has shown high monomer stabilizing ability with the highest peak IV (410 nm)/peak I (350 nm) ratio in the UV-visible spectrum (2).

CAS   9009-32-9   94423-19-5

Commercial applications

Cosmetics. Used as an emulsifying agent to help blend oil and water phases, ensuring a smooth consistency.

Skincare Products. Incorporated into creams, lotions, and serums to provide a smooth texture and facilitate easy skin application.

Makeup Products. Employed in products like foundations and primers to ensure even spread and a pleasant feel on the skin.

Haircare Products. Might be used in conditioners and hair treatments to assist in forming stable emulsions.

Sunscreen Products. Used in sunscreens and lotions to aid in the even dispersion of protective ingredients.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Infante, V. H. P., & Campos, P. M. M. (2021). Application of factorial design in the development of cosmetic formulations with carrageenan and argan oil. International Journal of Phytocosmetics and Natural Ingredients, 8(1), 4-4.

(2) Das S, Devarajan PV. Enhancing Safety and Efficacy by Altering the Toxic Aggregated State of Amphotericin B in Lipidic Nanoformulations. Mol Pharm. 2020 Jun 1;17(6):2186-2195. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00313. Epub 2020 May 4. PMID: 32324420.